Vent valve



July 26,1927. 1,637,158 L. F. OSTRANDER VENT VALVE Filed May 22, 1925 )im y INVENToR.

Z0 I Y L;

7/ ya BY M La# Y MMMv/ f Y Y 'Y Y Y Y ATTORNEYS Patented July 26, 1927.

nnwrs F. OSTRANDER, I 'or nILWAUKEE, '-WIsooNsIN.

VENT VALVE.

i :Application kfiled May 22,

This invention relatesto improvements in venting devices of the type used in the boiler return lines of low pressure flieating systems.

In low pressure or vapor heating systems, wherein vapor `is generated in a `suitable boiler .and ,piped to the radiators Vand the condensate andexcess vapor returned to the boiler' vby Way of suitable return lines, r e venting device is generally `placed in each of theieturn lines at apoint near thevboiler for the purpose of venting the air` from these lines while preventing-the escape of the condensate and excess vai-per and permitting return ofthe latter to the boiler. Various types of these venting devices have been constructed `and comprise, inn general, `a casing or chamber provided with an outlet opening and a controlling valvetherefor, a float'arrnngedin the chamber for closing the valve upon partial .filling thereof by the eenden sate, a thermostatic element nrranged'in the chamber Iand responsiveto a rise in temperaturel'd'ue tothe entrance of Vapor into .the chamber to also close the valve, `and a check vulve zirranged on theatmosphere side of the outlet; opening lund 4opening with the pressure inthe chamber, this check vulve permitting escape 'or venting of air from the return line v'vhile vpreventing air from being drawn into the system fror'nthe outside. 1While these venting devices constructedheretoforehave beenmore or less satisfactory, they :ireop'en to the objections that it requires an eppreciablelamountof pressure to open the air vent valve und, further, that the latterlias a te'ndencyto freeze or stick to its seat andin seme cases, es, `for instance, Whenftlie system "has been slrut doivn for a comparatively long period of time, is only dislodged uponijzirring ofthedevice or 'disassembly thereof. "This sticking of the 1air vent valve to its seat permits air to be trapped in the boiler return line,\vh`ich condition interferes with the free 'circulation oi vapor from the boiler to'the radiators and miiteriallydecreases the eiiciency of the entire system. l

One of the objects of the present invention i is to provide an improvedventing device oft' the type referred to which hasell the l:1dvantages ofth'ose constructed heretofore as regards closing of the ventor outlet pns'sge against the escape of condensate yor excess vaponand ivherein theiai'r vent valve is so constructed and mount-ed as tobebalanced with the normalpressure `inthe return line 1926. Serial No. 111944.

whereby this latter valveopens .readily Yupon a rise in ithe pressure vin .the,l )oiler return line relatively lslight amount above atmospheric, and -yvl1er`ein the I air vent valve` is so constructed end mounted as to :prevent sticking or freezing thereof-to itsseateven under ,conditions Where the system islshut down fora-relatively long period ottime.

Other object sand advantages will hereinafter appear. Y Y

kFor the purpose of illustratingthe invention, Hone embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings, Ain which Figure .1 is an'elevational view of theimproved vent-ing `device,: partly in section and partly broken aivay;

Fig. 2 is anenlarged vsection on the line 2%.-2 ofFig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is ,a .perspective View of'a vapor heating system, showing -one manner in which lthe'iniproved venting device may be embodied therein.

Referring first to Figf, vapor is generated in .the boiler 10 'and 'is conducted to the radiators 11 by way ot supply pipe l12 und the branch pipes `13, the lexcess 'vapor beingfreturned to theboiler vby'way of the return line 14 vwhich isconnected toand is iireiliect la continuation of supply lineflQ, the 'elbow l-endrpipe 16, thelatter being connected to the -boilerat fa point f below the Waterlevel therein. For the purpose offiproviding forfcirculation 'of the'va'por through the radiators and for returning the -condensate from the lmdizrtors back to-t'he boiler, a Vsecond return line 217 is connected tothe radiitors-bybranch pipes 18 und leeds-back to thelboiilerby Waypf siny elbow 19 and the pipe QO'also connected itothe-boiler ete point below the Water levelthlerein.

Referring n'oiv'to Fig. 1, tliecasing 21 is provided et its lo'WerendWvith a nipple QQ threaded into elbow '15,"as shown, find providing 'an inlet opening 23 for the device conimunicating with elbow 15 and the return y'l'ifne 14 connected vto thelzitter. A cip Qdis threded into the'upperendiof czisingQl and is provided 'with e. central opening; into which a p-l'ug 25`is screwedythe letter being epertured toprovide en loutlet opening Q6 Yfor casing 21 and providing a seat at its loiver end'for'tl'i'e valve 27. 'The valve?? is threaded into theupper end of n'float Q8 arranged' -i'n casing 21vand is provided "vvith a guiding stein 29 extending loosely tln-ough outlet yopening 26.

A thermostatic element 30 is yarranged in casing 21 between float 28V and a partition 31 which may be formed integrally with the casing, element 30 being provided on its underside with a supporting nipple 32 screwed into partition 31 to provide for adjustment, the partition being provided with suitable openings 33 providing communication between opposite sides of the same.

\ The lcap 24 is hollow to provide an air exhaust chamber 34 and is provided with an inwardlyl extending horizontally inclined boss 35 into which a bushing 36 is screwed, the latter being provided with an axial rei cess' 37 extending from vone end thereof to within a short distance ot' the other end 38, end 38 being provided with an air exhaust or vent opening 39.l v The boss 35 and bushing 36 screwed therein are inclined a relativelysmall amount with respect to the horizontal, this arrangement placing venting opening 39 on a relatively small pitch with respect to the vertical. The longitudinal axis of the bushing is therefore disposed to the longitudinal axis of casing 21 at an angle a relatively small amount .in excess of ninety' degrees. Bushing 3G is provided with inwardly and longitudinally extending lugs 40 arranged concentrically or' the vent opening 39 and providing guiding means for the ball valve 41 adapted to close the air vent opening 39 upon decrease in the pressure in air exhaust chamber 34 to a point slightly below atmospheric. It is important to note that by reason of the construction just explained wherein the seatof the vent opening 39 is on a relatively small pitch with respect to thek vertical and wherein the ball valve guiding means or ribs 40 are inclined a relatively small amount with respect to the horizontal, the ball valve opens readily upon the slightest rise in pressure in the air exhaust chamber 34, the slight pitch or incline of ribs 40` being suicient to cause the ball valve 41 to rest normally against its seat 38 very lightly under the action of gravity. A plug 42 is screwed into the open end of bushing 36 to provide a stop for valve 41 and to hold the same in recess 37, plug 42 being provided with an opening 43 eccentric with respect to valve 41 to prevent the latter from closing this opening whereby the same provides communication at all times between recess 37 and the atmosphere.

A plug 44 is screwed into the upper end of cap 24 and may be removed to permit insertion of a suitable tool into engagement with the slotted upper end of plug 25 for the purpose of adjusting the latter with reference to valve 27 s0 that the seating of the valve may be accuratel regulated.

In the operation ot the heating system, any air in the boiler` return line 14 will be permitted to escape therefrom by way of openings 23 and 33, outlet opening 26, air

exhaust chamber 34, the air exhaust or vent opening 39, and Opening 43, the horizontally pitched guiding ribs 40 permitting the air vent Avalve 41 to open readily under an air pressurein chamber 34`slightly above atmospheric. Upon decrease of the pressure in the system to a point below atmospheric, due to sudden chilling of' one of the radia tors to cause condensation of the vapor, or for other reasons, the ball check valve 41 will be readily seated under the slightly greater atmospheric pressure as well as the tendency .for the valve to seat under the action of gravity, as explained above. i When all of the air has been vented from the return line 14, and the excess vapor begins `to flow back to the boiler by way of elbow 15 and pipe 16, part of thls vapor will flow into casing 21 by way of inlet opening and openings 33 and heat up the thermostatic element 30 to cause expansion thereof whereby the same operates to close valve 2T, thus preventing escapeof the vapor by way of the air vent opening 39. Upon return of the water of condensation t the boiler by way of elbow and pipe 16, some of. the condensate will enter casing 21 by way of openings 23 and 33, float 28 then rising to close valve 27 and prevent` escape ofthe condensate by` way of the air vent opening 39. The thermostatic element therefore operates to close valve 27 to prevent the es` cape of vapor, while fioat 28 operates to close valve 27 to prevent the escape of condensate. A vent trap 45, identical in construction with that shown in Fig. 1 and described above, is connected to elbow 19 for the boiler return line 17, as shown in Fi". 3.

Bushing 36, valve 41 and piling 42 are assembled as a unit and screwed into cap 24 as shown, but of course the bushing may be omitted and the valve seat 38 and the valve ggiding ribs formed integrally with boss 3 From the foregoing it will be seen that au improved venting device of the character described has been provided wherein the air vent or exhaust check valve is balanced with the normal pressure in the boiler return line and seats upon a seat pitched a relatively small amount with respect to the vertical whereby this valve is opened upon slight rise in pressure in the return line t0 a point slightly above atmospheric, and that by reason of the improved construction and main ner of mounting this valve, there is no tendency of the latter to stick or freeze to its seat, or collect foreign matter.

Vhile one embodiment of the invention h as been shown and described, of course various changes may be made, such as in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:

IUD

l. In a venting device fof the character described including a casing having an outlet opening and valve mechanism for opening and closing said'opening, an auxiliary air exhaust chamber communicating with the interior of said casing by way ofthe outlet opening thereof, `a ball valve 'associated with said chamber "and opening upon a predetermined rise in the :pressure therein to provide a communication between the same and the atmosphere, and guiding means for said ball valve, said means being inclined upwardly in the direction of the opening movement of said ball valve a relatively slight amount with respect to the horizontal.

'2. In a venting device of the character described, including a casing having an outlet opening and valve mechanism for opening and closing said opening, an auxiliary air exhaust chamber communicating with the interior of said casing by way of the outlet opening thereof, a hollow bushing screwed into said chamber and inclined a relatively small amount with respect to the horizontal with the end thereof interior of said chamber below the horizontal, said end being apertured to provide a vent for said chamber to the atmosphere, the other end of said bushing being open tothe atmosphere, and a ball valve arranged in said bushing to seat over said vent and being operable to open the latter upon rise in pressure in said chamber to a point above atmospheric and to close said vent upon drop in pressure in said chamber to a point below atmospheric.

3. In a venting device of the character described including a casing havinflr an outlet opening and valve mechanism for opening and closing said opening, an auxiliary air exhaust chamber communicating with the interior of said casing by way of the outlet opening thereof, a hollow bushing screwed into said chamber with its longitudinal axis disposed 'to the longitudinal axis of said casing at an angle a relatively small amount in excess of ninety degrees, the end of said bushing interior of said chamber being apertured to provide a vent for the latter to the atmosphere, the other end of said bushing being open to the atmosphere, and a ball valve arranged in said bushing to seat over said vent and to open the latter upon increase in the pressure in said chamber to a point above atmospheric.

4. In a venting device of the character described including a casing having an outlet opening and valve mechanism for opening and closing said opening, an auxiliary air exhaust chamber communicating with the interior of said casing by way of the out.- let opening thereof, said chamber being provided With an inwardly extending recess and a valve seat providing communication between said chamber and recess, said recess being open to the atmosphere, and a ball valve arranged in 'said recess to seat upon said `seat upon drop inthe pressure in said chamber' to a point below atn'iospheric and for movement away from said seat upon rise in the pressure in said `chan'iber to a point above atmospheric.

5. In fa venting device of the character described including' a casing, aV verticallypitched valveseatprovidingan airvent for said casing, and a ball valve arranged to normally seat over said vent and to open upon a predetermined rise in the pressure in said casing.

6. In a venting device of the character described including a casing', a hollow horizontally inclined bushing threaded into said casing and provided at the end thereof interior of said casing with a verticallypitched valve seat providing an air vent for said casing, the other end of said bushing being open to the atmosphere, and a ball valve arranged in said bushing to normally seat over said vent and to open the latter upon rise in the pressure in said casing to a point above atmospheric.

7. In a venting device of the character described, a casing provided with an inwardly extending recess open at one end to the atmosphere, a vertically disposed valve seat at the other end of said recess providing an air vent for said casing, and a ball valve arranged in said recess to seatover said vent and to open upon a predetermined rise in the pressure in said casing.

8. A venting device of the character described comprising a casing provided at its lower end with an inlet opening and an apertured partition, a hollow cap secured to and closing the upper end of said casing, a bushing screwed into the underside of said cap and provided with an axial opening extending therethrough, the interior of said cap being open to the atmosphere, a pair of superimposed members arranged in said casing and supported by said partition, a valve carried by and extending upwardly from the upper end of the uppermost member and arranged to seat against the lower adjacent end of said bushing to close said axial opening, one of said members being responsive to a given change in temperature in said casing to close said valve, the other of said members being' responsive to high water level condition in said casing to close said valve, said cap being provided with a valve seat cominuiiicating with said axial opening, and a ball valve arranged in said cap and operable under the action of gravity to seat against said seat, said valve opening upon a predetermined rise in the pressure in said casing to permit venting of air therefrom by way of said cap.

9. An air venting device for low pressure heating systems comprising a vertically distill posed casing, a valve therein near the upper end tliereoffprovldmg `communication with the atmosphere, said valve including a seat uprightly disposed and slightly inclined from the vertical, a ball cooperating with said seat, and a runway for said ball disposed at right angles to the plane of the seat.

10. A venting device of the character described colnprising a easing provided with 13 an outlet opening, valve means for consaid vent, and to open upon a predetern'iined rise in the pressure in said casing.

In witness whereof, I hereto alx my signature.

LEWIS F. OSTRANDER. 

